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Thermal Power Plants Generation in India – Overview

Currently, (as on June 30, 2016) thermal power plant’s (coal based) generation in India is 180 GW i.e. 60% of the country’s total installed capacity of 300 GW and 76% of electricity generation (CEA Daily Generation Report for June 30, 2016). However, still India’s per capita electricity consumption is just over 1000 kWh which is one-third of the global average and hence the country has massive additions to be made in electricity supply situation and the major source shall be thermal power plants. To assess the future capacity of thermal power plant’s (coal based) generation enincon consulting llp has conducted analysis basis different scenarios for which certain assumptions were quintessential which are listed as below.

Growth Scenarios Considered for Projections

For doing the projections we have built following possible and realistic scenarios factoring the role of coal efficiency which would be driving parameter as the type of technology adapted by developers shall also play an important role. Though, it is proposed that from 13th FYP plan period.

The fact that the rate of adaptation of super critical technology in India is pretty sluggish reason being the quality of domestic coal with high ash content and low calorific value.

In this scenario we have assumed that the rate of GDP growth rate witnessed by India would be a normative one from 2016 to 2027 at the rate of 6%. Coupled with this the focus of the Indian Government in adding more renewable energy capacity for power generation will see less capacities from thermal power plants (coal based) generation. Also, under the scenario we have assumed that sub-critical capacity addition will stop only after 2022 and ultra-super critical technology shall witness more acceptance post 2022 and IGCC shall also witness pace in capacity addition around 2025. Further, we have also assumed that market sentiments will not drive enhanced interests from the private developers to set thermal power plants, as the current state of market will most likely prevail with funding institutions being circumspect in terms of lending for thermal power plant projects, owing to bad debts.

Scenario 1: SUBDUED GROWTH SCENARIO (SGS) – Numbers

Currently as on June 30, 2016 the installed capacity of India is 300 GW, with the share of thermal power plants capacity being close to 70% at 211 GW. Undoubtedly coal has been the leading source in thermal power plant capacity additions with 180 GW of installed capacity. With around 88 GW of capacity additions planned for 12th FYP, India seems on course to achieve the same as close to 86 GW is already added till May 2016 from April 2012. However, this capacity addition certainly will also factor the spilled over capacity from 11th Plan of 23 GW.

Thermal Power: At the end of 11th FYP the thermal power plant (coal based) installed capacity was 112 GW which as on June 2016 rose to 186 GW. This means over a span of close 4 years and 3 months the capacity added was 74 GW. On a rationalised term and on year on year basis the capacity added comes close to 18 GW per annum. If we subtract the spilled over capacity of 11th FYP from 74 GW the capacity added on yoy basis it will come close to 13 GW per annum.

As depicted in the previous section the economic growth is considered to be 6% on annual basis, with focused renewable power capacity additions and low technology adaptations and low interests by private investors likely to prevail till 2022 (or till 13th FYP) the coal based thermal power plant capacity is anticipated to grow at 4% on CAGR basis till 2022 and 3% post 2022 till 2027. This would mean by 2022 the installed thermal power capacity of coal based generation will rise to 235 GW and by 2027 shall be 272 GW. This is also, as close to 40 GW capacity by 2027 would be out of service due to ageing. The fresh capacities which will be added in this span of 11 years from 2016 to 2027 shall be 86GW . The graph for same is shown as below:

In this scenario we have assumed that the rate of GDP growth rate witnessed by India would be a slightly better from the current levels from 2016 to 2027 and shall be at the rate of 8%. Coupled with this the capacities which is planned to be added through renewable sources shall see a mediocre achievement leading to more thermal power plant (coal based) additions grow at BAU pace on yoy basis.

Also, under the scenario we have assumed that sub-critical capacity addition will stop in 2017 as per the planned initiative of GoI for 13th FYP onwards and ultra-super critical technology shall witness more acceptance post 2020 and IGCC shall also witness pace in capacity addition around 2022. Further, we have also assumed that market sentiments will derive moderate interests from the independent power plant developers, and private investments in thermal power plants in India shall see an increase though in a controlled and calculated manner with PPA security, FSA security etc. being in place. Also role the PMP policy might be contemplated by the private players and under such circumstances the competitiveness of the market shall go even higher leading foreign original equipment manufacturers evaluating setting of manufacturing base in India.

Scenario 2: BAU GROWTH SCENARIO (BGS) – Numbers

As depicted earlier currently as on June 30 2016 the installed capacity of India is 300 GW, with the share of thermal power plant capacity being close to 70% at 211 GW. Undoubtedly coal has been the leading source in thermal power plant capacity additions with 180 GW of installed capacity. We shall evaluate the thermal power plant (coal based) capacity additions under the BGS scenario as under.

Thermal Power: As depicted in the previous segment the economic growth is considered to be 8% on annual basis, with moderate renewable capacity additions and moderate technology adaptations with mid level interests by private investors in thermal power plant capacity additions likely to prevail till 2022 (or till 13th FYP) the coal based thermal capacity is anticipated to grow at 6% on CAGR basis till 2022 and 5% post 2022 till 2027. This would mean by 2022 the installed capacity of thermal power plants (coal based generation) will rise to 264 GW and by 2027 shall be 337 GW. This is also as close to 40 GW capacity by 2027 would be out of service due to ageing. The fresh capacities which will be added in this span of 11 years from 2016 to 2027 shall be 151 GW . This would mean on an average on year on year basis the capacity additions shall be of 14 GW approximately. The graph for same is shown as below

In this scenario we have assumed that the rate of GDP growth rate witnessed by India would be at best levels from 2016 to 2027 and shall be at the rate of 9%. Coupled with this the capacities which is planned to be added through renewable sources shall see a low achievement leading to thermal power plant (coal based) capacity additions to grow at higher pace on yoy basis. Also, under the scenario we have assumed that sub-critical capacity addition will stop in 2017 as per the planned initiative of GoI for 13th FYP onwards and ultra-super critical technology shall witness more acceptance post 2017 and IGCC shall also witness pace in capacity addition around 2020 with rekindled gas supplies. Further, we have also assumed that market sentiments will derive high interests from the private power plant developers to invest in thermal power plant assets amidst the planned distribution reforms achieving success leading to better financial situation of such utilities which in turn would mean more power tie ups on long-term and thus investments from private players shall witness similar trajectory as was in 2005-2009 regime. Also role the PMP policy might be contemplated in this scenario too by the private players and under such circumstances the competitiveness of the market shall go even higher leading foreign OEMs to focus on setting up manufacturing units in the country